Under Our Umbrella

In 1980, The Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II opened the Asante Kingdom of Gold exhibition at the Museum of Mankind in Piccadilly, London. It was an Asante cultural extravaganza affair. The full pump and pageantry of Asanteman was put on display for all to see. The exhibition was so successful that the City of New York desperately wanted to have a similar one of their own. Consequently, at the invitation of the American Museum of National History and Mayor Edward I. Koch, Otumfuo presided over the formal opening procession and ceremonies for the special exhibition, “Asante: Kingdom of Gold”, in October 1984 in New York. The historic significance and success of the New York exhibition cannot be over-emphasized. At any rate, true to Otumfuo’s simple demeanor, caring nature, sensitivity and warm personality to all he met, during his visit, he made it a point to meet with the leaders of the Asante community, some of whom had travelled from Canada and other parts of the United States of America, to be a part of his memorable and illustrious visit. The consummate diplomat that he was, Otumfuo used the occasion to discuss the power and strength in unity. He encouraged them to unite, to teach their children and others, the important aspects of Asante cultural values, history, customs and traditions and also, to pull resources together to help in the socio-economic development of Asanteman and Ghana as a whole.

At any rate, true to Otumfuo’s simple demeanor, caring nature, sensitivity and warm personality to all he met, during his visit, he made it a point to meet with the leaders of the Asante community, some of whom had travelled from Canada and other parts of the United States of America, to be a part of his memorable and illustrious visit. The consummate diplomat that he was, Otumfuo used the occasion to discuss the power and strength in unity. He encouraged them to unite, to teach their children and others, the important aspects of Asante cultural values, history, customs and traditions and also, to pull resources together to help in the socio-economic development of Asanteman and Ghana as a whole.

It is important to note that prior to Otumfuo’s historic visit, Asantes in New York, Canada and other parts of the United States of America were coming together to form associations. In 1981, New York inaugurated their association and successfully organized a swearing-in ceremony that made Nana Kwadwo Tuffour the first Asantefuohene. In 1982, Canada ratified a draft constitution that brought Asantes and her afficinados of Asanteman together, and ushered in The Ashanti-Canadian Multicultural Association of Toronto Inc. The idea for the formation of the association however, was born in 1981; in 1983, with the blessing of Otumfuo, the first inauguration and traditional swearing-in ceremony was organized, making Nana Owusu Baah, the first Asantefuohene of Canada.

Those activities notwithstanding, Otumfuo’s visit and inspirational message provided the necessary and needed impetus for the formation of Asanteman associations and to make paramount, the promotion and portrayal of our rich cultural heritage in the diaspora. As the progressive and visionary monarch, the Asantehene is highly revered by his people. Indeed, he is respected with awe. His wise counsel is not only golden, but a privilege to have. Clearly, Otumfuo’s historic visit of 1984 did not only celebrate the Golden Stool and Asanteman for that matter, but also placed Ghana on the map and simultaneously brought the rich Kente Cloth to a new level of popularity that we continue to reap the benefits of its attendant multiple positive economic effects on Ghana’s economy.

Soon after Otumfuo’s historic visit, a number of Asanteman associations were inaugurated and swearing-in ceremonies organized in various major metropolitan settings in North America (i.e. Chicago, Washington, DC, and Atlanta, Georgia to name a few). It was after the inauguration of the Asanteman Association of Georgia in 1986 that an idea struck me (Dr Agyenim Boateng, then the Assistant Attorney General of Kentucky) to formulate an united umbrella organization for those associations that were in Atlanta for the swearing for Nana Ntomuro Atakora the Asantefuohene during my six hour drive from Atlanta, Georgia to Lexington, Kentucky. On my arrival home, I prepared a four-page Memorandum outlining the rationale, vision, aims, objectives and the structure of the new organization, which I called Asanteman Union of North America (ASUNA). Copies were sent to all the chiefs who attended the Atlanta inauguration and to Oheneba Adusei Poku who was then serving as a top diplomat at the Ghana Embassy in Washington, DC.

The structure mimicked the Asanteman House of Chiefs in which all the paramountcy’s of Asanteman come together under one umbrella headed by the Asantehene. Like Asanteman Council, each organization is independent and operates under its’ own by-laws and constitution. ASUNA would have no individual membership but membership could be given to Associations that subscribed to its’ aims and objectives. The position of the head of ASUNA was unsettled and left opens for members to decide later. The benefits accrued for ASUNA membership included access to US Internal Revenue Tax Exempt Code 501 (3) (c) which allow members to raise funds to implement their own objectives and programs in their respective states and further to donate financial assistance to help in swearing-in of new chiefs.

Proposals were presented to the chiefs during the swearing- in ceremony of the Asantefuohene of Canada, Nana Fredua Agyeman, in 1992 by explaining the rationale, aims and objectives of ASUNA. After questions and lengthy discussions among the chiefs, the idea was accepted in principles. I was tasked with the responsibility of heading a committee, including Nana Wiafe Ababio of Chicago, to draft a proposed Constitution and by-laws for ASUNA.

Throughout the summer of 1993, I traveled to different cities to discuss with the various executive committees of each organization important aspects of the by-laws and constitution. After meeting with Nana Kwabena Brobbey, (Asanteman chief, New York), Nana Mensah Abrampah (Asanteman chief, New England) and Nana Wiafe Bonsu Ababio (Asantefuo hene, Chicago) during their swearing- in ceremonies in New York, New England and Chicago respectively, the draft of the constitution was completed. The Constitution and by-laws under the new name Asanteman Council of North America (ACONA) was adopted and ratified at the swearing-in ceremony of Nana Bonsu Wiafe, Asantefuohene of Chicago and Midwest, by member associations which were: New York, Canada, Atlanta, New England and Chicago at the time.

As afore-mentioned, ACONA was structured along the format of Asanteman House of Chiefs with each entity or association independent and registered or incorporated under the laws of their particular state or province. Each member Association subscribes to the aims and objectives of ACONA and regards the Golden Stool as the spiritual embodiment of Asantes and pays respect to the Asantehene as the occupant of the Golden Stool. All member organizations must be headed by a chief or Asantefuohene. Furthermore, all member organizations must participate in the swearing-in ceremonies of other member organizations and also, participate in the annual Asante Day celebrations. Moreover, ACONA on behalf of each member group must laisse with Manhyia and request Otumfuo’s permission for his representative to chair and all swearing-in ceremonies. In spite of this, ACONA maintains its independent corporate entity as a registered a nonprofit corporation under the New York State laws since 1996.

Regarding the appointment of who heads ACONA, after a spirited deliberation and intense lobbying by the New York group to be made a permanent head because of its’ seniority and large membership base, the question of the presidency was put to vote. By a majority vote New York claim was rejected, the motion carried for the presidency to be rotated yearly among member associations. Thereafter, by unanimous consent, a secretariat concept headed by a general secretary and other officers to administratively operate the day-to-day activities of the group with a reporting structure to the ACONA delegates’ conference held at least once a year, was adopted. Council of elders consisting of former Asantefuohene and other members were appointed to play an advisory role and mediate disputes among member organizations.

Subsequently, Canada was elected as the first association to chair ACONA, making Nana Fredua Agyeman, the then Asantefuohene of Toronto, the first President of ACONA. When Nana Fredua’s tenure expired in 1993, he was succeeded by Nana Opoku Boahen as the Asantefuohene of Toronto and continued with the Presidency of ACONA. Nana Opoku Boahen won the confidence of the ACONA delegates when that mandate ended for the next term of office for Toronto to chair ACONA. The lasting legacy that Nana Opoku Boahen left for ACONA was to lead the ACONA delegation in 1995 to attend the Silver Jubilee celebration of Otumfuo Opoku Ware II’s ascension to the Golden Stool.

In appreciation of its support and allegiance to the Golden Stool, the members of ACONA, under the able leadership of Nana Opoku Boahen, presented to Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, $15 000 (fifteen thousand US dollars) to assist in the establishment of the Asante cultural museum, now befittingly named, The Manhyia Palace Museum; as they joined in the celebration of his Silver Jubilee Anniversary. The member associations of ACONA at that time were: Asanteman Association of New England States, Asanteman Association of New York, Asante-Canadian Multicultural Association of Toronto (now Asanteman Association of Toronto, Canada), Asante Cultural Society of Southern California (Los Angeles), Asanteman Association of Chicago and Midwest, Asanteman Association of Washington DCMetropolitan Area, Asanteman Association of Georgia (Atlanta), Asanteman Association of Houston, Texas and Asanteman assoation of Dallas Texas and Asanteman Association of Quebec. Otumfuo was so impressed by the gesture of ACONA that he personally ensured that Nana Opoku Boahen and his entourage of ACONA member associations were not only seated, but prominently featured in the Asanteman Council of Chiefs’ seating arrangements at both durbars at Manhyia-Dwabrem and the Kumasi Sports Stadium.

In appreciation of its support and allegiance to the Golden Stool, the members of ACONA, under the able leadership of Nana Opoku Boahen, presented to Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, $15 000 (fifteen thousand US dollars) to assist in the establishment of the Asante cultural museum, now befittingly named, The Manhyia Palace Museum; as they joined in the celebration of his Silver Jubilee Anniversary. The member associations of ACONA at that time were: Asanteman Association of New England States, Asanteman Association of New York, Asante-Canadian Multicultural Association of Toronto (now Asanteman Association of Toronto, Canada), Asante Cultural Society of Southern California (Los Angeles), Asanteman Association of Chicago and Midwest, Asanteman Association of Washington DCMetropolitan Area, Asanteman Association of Georgia (Atlanta), Asanteman Association of Houston, Texas and Asanteman assoation of Dallas Texas and Asanteman Association of Quebec. Otumfuo was so impressed by the gesture of ACONA that he personally ensured that Nana Opoku Boahen and his entourage of ACONA member associations were not only seated, but prominently featured in the Asanteman Council of Chiefs’ seating arrangements at both durbars at Manhyia-Dwabrem and the Kumasi Sports Stadium.

At a meeting in Connecticut 1996, Asanteman Council of North America (ACONA) formalized the secretariat model with an Executive Secretary as the head of the secretariat to run the affairs of the council. Modeled after the Asante House o chief’s format, each member had an each vote regardless of its size. The Asantefuohene of the various Associations that constituted the council managed the cultural component of the Association. Nana Agyei Yeboah from Asanteman Association of the New England States was elected the first executive secretary of the secretariat.

As the Executive Secretary, he networked effectively with Asante Associations and Think Tanks in North America and Ghana, and worked closely with Asante Student Union Alumni (ASUA) for the planning of the first Asante Congress in Kumasi in 1998. The following year he galvanized ACONA to host a historic Asante Congress in Atlanta Georgia. This congress was captured live by CNN international. That same year ACONA held a successful Education Summit in Houston Texas. At this Summit chaired by Nana Yaw Owusu Akyaw, the Asantefuohene of Houston at the time, plans were made to initiate computer education programs in Kumasi and its environs.

To facilitate smooth communication and to archive ACONA programs, an interactive website was built for Asanteman Council of North America. An Annual Asante Day was institutionalized. Labor Day of each year was chosen for the event. The purpose of the Asante Day celebration was to bring Asantes and people of Asante descent in North America together to showcase Asante’s grand culture. To assess the development made and to plan for the future of our Kingdom. The hosting of the event was to rotate from one major city where Asanteman Association is strong to another.

ACONA sent a strong delegation headed by the Executive Secretary to the official installation of Asantehene Otumfou OseiTutu II. ACONA was very instrumental and worked tirelessly with the founders of the Otumfuo Education Fund in North America. ACONA initiated establishing a trucking company, which was not successful. In 2002 Rex Kofi Nyamekye of Dallas Texas succeeded Nana Kwaku Agyei Yeboah as the Executive secretary of ACONA until his untimely death in 2012. He carried on the good and exemplary work left by his predecessor Nana Agyei Yeboah. Among his achievements were ACONA hosting Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11 first official visit to US, Pontiac, Michigan in 2005 and his second visit to Atlanta Georgia in 2007. However a couple of years before his passing, his ill health did not allow him to maintain the needed coordination the Secretariat was empowered to perform over the administration of ACONA. This vacuum caused some of the chiefs to plan to secede from the organization or attempted to undermine the authority of the organization

In 2007 ACONA constitution was amended to formalize, among other things, the organizational structure of ACONA Secretariat to comprise of Executive Secretary who as the Spokesperson and Chief Executive Office of ACONA; an Assistant Executive Secretary, a Financial Secretary, a Treasurer, a Public Relations officer and National Women and Youth organizer.

Under the constitution, as amended, ACONA designated as the National COUNCIL becomes the legislative and policy making body and comprises of four (4) delegates from each of the active Member Associations and each delegates from each of the active Member Associations and each delegation is headed by their respective Asantefuohene and Asantefuohemaa. Each member association has (4) votes at each Council meeting. The ACONA Council is headed by a President, who is also the Ceremonial Head of ACONA. The President is selected among one of the Asantefuohenes of the Member Associations.

The National Council of ACONA met the following Sunday to elect new officers to run Acuna: Rex Poku and Nana Essah Mensah were retained as executive secretary and public relations officer respectively; Samuel Agyeman Duah, Kwabena Agyarkwa- Boansi and Nana Antwi Boasiako were elected assist. Secretary Treasurer and financial secretary respectively.

The Executives were charged with the task of reviving the somewhat dormant secretariat. The task ahead was to 1.) Revive the dormant relationship between Mania and ACONA may have audience with Otumfuo anytime one visits Kumasi 2.) To map out development projects in the Asante region and the Asante kingdom including medical and educational projects to support Otumfuo’s charity foundation 3.) The encourage cultural education in the diaspora.

Again ACONA met 2007 for a fundraising dinner in Denver to raise money to ship medical equipment and supplies to Okomfo Anokye teaching hospital (Kath); $15000.00 was raised to ship our container full of medical equipment and supplies worth $550,000.00 to KATH. The second one worth $50000.00 was shipped to Kumasi Suntereso government hospital with the help of doc to dock organization the help finance the cost, Then in 2007 when Denver hosted the Asante day in Colorado, Tepahene toured the facilities of projects. After that a container worth $550,000.00 was shipped to Tepa hospital, and it was followed by another container worth $550,000.00 shipped to Jachie-Pramso hospital where a MOU was signed with the hospital to name the eye clinic after Otumfuo.

The climax of ACONA projects came when Tepa hene hosted “doctors without borders” for a medical project at tepa for three weeks. This was a project CURE medical project led by Ms. Claire Cunningham, business development manager project CURE. This led project CURE to ship two more containers worth $1,100,000.00 to Tepa Hospital. Claire also adopted a kid from tepa who was having an eye problem to be flown to USA for further medical help. In 2009, on Thursday July 23, at Hyatt Regency Denver, project CURE first ladies luncheon hosted the first lady of Ghana, Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills, with the theme “help to deliver health & hope to Ghana”, we were able to raise more than $2 million in medical relief to hospitals and clinics in Ghana.

This encouraged ACONA to revive its medical project led by Dr. Joe Conduah , the project director, to write a proposal for Acuna a business plan was also written by a professional company lands were acquired by Acuna at Ejura in Asante region, Nana Anane Amponsah former Asanteuohene of new York also released a 4 acre land at Akropong Kumasi to start our clinic projects then came the mini disaster when Dr. Joe Conduah quit as project director over the proposed implementation committee over the project committee, appointing non- professionals over well qualified professionals. The project never saw the daylight.

Most of the projects were shelved because of the apparent conflict between the chiefs and the secretariat as over who should control ACONA, the secretariat had proposed the separation of cultural affairs from the day to day administration of all member Associations. This has pushed various projects to the back bench Acona proposed a scholarship project that every member association should contribute $1000 to sponsor five students of their choice; only Toronto association has paid so far.

The misunderstanding among the chiefs and the Secretariat was ostensibly caused by a rift between some of the chiefs on one hand, and on the hand, the Secretariat as their respective roles over the organization. The climax was reached when a separate Asanteman Kuo of Columbus whose constitution did not meet the founding principles of ACONA constitution formed and applied to the ACONA Secretariat for permission to join but was turned down. Already ACONA has recognized the other Asanteman Association of Columbus group that was formed over a year ago.

After various attempts to reconcile the two groups the new dissident group somehow gained the attention of Nana Adusei Ampem, Tepahene, and Otumfuo’s emissary who unilaterally gave permission to swear in despite heavy protestation from ACONA Secretariat. The case eventually ended up in the Supreme Court of Ohio where the Court granted ACONA injunctive relief restraining the dissident group Asanteman Kuo Columbus from using or branding themselves as part of ACONA or using its symbols to advertise its inaugural festivities.

The dissent group was energetically supported by Nana Tieku Asantefuo hene of New York and Nana Kofi Boateng Asantefuohene and President of Washington DC Asanteman Association whose president Golash Adadey, contrary to the directives from the National Council prohibiting the participation of any ACONA membership in either the swearing in or the subsequent Asante Day activities the group has planned for New York City on September 3rd. The National Council of ACONA through its Secretariat issued a show cause order against the chief of Asanteman Association of USA New York and the chief Naan Kofi Boateng and its president Golash Adadey of Association of Washington DC why they or their respective organizations should not be suspended or expelled for conspiracy, insubordination and attempt to undermine the leadership of and tarnishthe good name ACONA.

The defendants did not file any response or defense to the allegations nor did they appear to defend themselves. Therefore a hearing was held on October 18, the National Council after reviewing all the allegations and the evidence, found the defendants guilty as charged and, therefore, two organizations were expelled from ACONA. Pursuant to Article VIII of ACONA constitution

What happened? To understand what happed it must pointed out the formation of Asanteman Associations was inspired and its apex or umbrella organization ACONA by Otumfuo Opoku Ware 11 his historic visit to New York City in 1982. His message carried both a vision and mission for people of Asante’s descent who will be found living in the four corners of the world. The vision was for Asantes to bring along the very important aspect of an Asante history and cultural values to their new places of abode and continue owing fidelity to the Golden Stool which symbolizes the unity and spirit of Asante’s nation and people. The mission was to organize as antes into associations that will be able to tap on the resources that will harness that energy that will inculcate into them and their children the cultural values and history “amanie ne amanmere”. Asantes in diaspora numbering almost a million people must be empowered to create Asanteman Association that was independent and autonomous and had the freedom to create and remobilize renounces that would make this possible. Subsumed in this effort was capacity of each group to raise enough funds and resources to funds its local activities and also help in the economic development of Asanateman. To actualize Otumfuo’s vision some organizations in New York and Toronto Canada immediately started Asante’s schools for children to the Asante language. Classes were also set for adults on “ntama fra”, “aware gyae ne aware ma” and how to conduct in “amane Bo”. New York bought a van with the emblem of Asante Kotoko blazoned all over which ferried member’s different functions across the city and elsewhere. ACONA was created as an umbrella organization albeit to engage in fund raising exergies to help both social and economic projects back home in Asante land raise resources that wood attain this objective.

Thus it appears throughout the later years due to lose affiliation, supervision and laxity on the part of the Secretariat over the activities of these organizations, the succeeding chefs have completely ignored or forgotten the raison d’ etre of ACONA .Rather they have concentrated on their own power base enamored with pomp and pageantry of their ceremonial outdooring and funerals appearances. They became ignorant of their own constitution as well as the Constitution of ACONA and resorted to cheap propaganda to score points with or curry favor with Asantehene’s emissary Nana Tepahene and Manhyia without regard to the interest of the membership and the objectives of ACONA. This is appears to explain what happened why certain membership attempt to undermine or subvert the authority of ACONA...

While there is no objective evidence to link Tepamanhene Nana Adusei Ampem for conspiracy with the rebel chiefs to undermine the authority of ACONA and its Secretariat, however, the available anecdotal evidence is such as to raise some eye brows on the impartiality of Nana Tepahene in failing to settle the conflict between the two factions in Columbus, Ohio. So, too, is his relationship with the leadership of ACONA and its Secretariat. First as an emissary of Otumfuo he was in duty bound to bring reconciliation between the two rival groups. However with story of his alleged threats and boasting to dissolve or outlaw ACONA if they do not do his bidding he went ahead and recognized a faction that has patently refused to follow the principles as enshrined in ACONA constitution Nana should have called outside sources such as the council of elders of ad former Asantefuohenes ACONA to intervene. Rather he arbitrary and unilaterally forced the inauguration of the recalcitrant Columbus Kuo. It is counterintuitive whether Otumfou would have approved of this if he was properly briefed? Earlier similar incident occurred in the 1990s when two groups emerged in Washington. Asante Kotoko Society did not recognize chieftaincy as essential aspect of its structure while Asanteman of Washington DC did. After various attempt to reconcile the two groups failed. The two found a pragmatic solution to allow each group to operate under its own mission and constitution. So Washington DC has the Asante Kotoko Society and Asanteman Association existing side by side for the past 25 years as two fraternal organizations. All living up to the vision and mission of Otumfuo Opoku Ware 11.

It must be emphasized that ACONA is a non for profit corporate entity chattered under the laws of United States of America and no outside force can influence its existence or viability. ACONA in its formative years used to request Otumfou permission to enable those Asante chiefs visiting US or Canada to preside over swearing- in of their chiefs at a minimal cost. However as years went by some of those chiefs who in order to promote their own selfish interest resorted to inviting Tepahene several times, with their resultant prohibitive costs or expenses, to attend their inaugurations. Such actions become a drain on the resources which ACONA should have been used to fund or underwrite some of its development projects they have embarked on in Ghana. This is the beef the National Council of ACONA has with Tepahene on his divisive role within ACONA. His meddling and intervention in ACONA affairs are no longer respected or viable for the survival of the organization. It patently undermines the historic cordial relationship between Manhyia and the organization

ACONA fulfils the dream of the former the second British Chief Commissioner of Asante region Captain Fuller who after Yaa Asantewa war in 1901 wrote a book, Asante Vanished Dynasty, in which he expressed his admiration for Asantes and their institutions. Even though magnanimous in victory over Asantes ,who lost the fights against Great Britain after over 80 years war to maintain their independence status with the Gold Coast Colony. He was impressed with their organizational skills, kingship tradition and love of freedom and their optimism towards the future. Captain Fuller bemoaned the possible adverse impact of western education on Asante’s culture .Thus he called for preservation of this through writing. However instead of his apprehension, I am sure he will be proud to learn that Asantes took the best of western education and culture they have learnt in order to improve their own. After all knowing and understanding yourself is a psychological stimulus to personal growth and development. Thus the formation of different Asante associations throughout the major cities of Canada and US with the culmination of founding ACONA is in line with the vision of Captain Fuller and especially the vision of Otumfuo Opoku Ware 11 who saw Asantefuo living everywhere as important development partner for the future of Asantes and also as a transmission belt of Asante culture throughout the world.

1. Contributors to the above narratives are : Dr. Agyenim Boateng retired Deputy Attorney General of Kentucky and one of the principal architects of ACONA;
Nana Agyei Yeboah ,First General Secretary of ACONA, Prof K. Duah Agyeman , present Executive Secretary of ACONA,
Nana Osei Tutu of Columbus Ohio, Nana Kwame Boahen former Asantefuohene of Canada and 2nd President of ACONA, Nana Kwadwo Fosu of Canada,
Nana Antwi Gyeabou of Gary Indiana ; Kwabena Adarkwa-Boansi etc 2. Special tributes and recognition must also be given to the following and others whose wise counsel and support helped to put ACONA on firm footing and also sustained its energy through out the years : Nana Agogo hene Akuoko Sarpon; Nana Efah Appenten Bompatahene former Ghana Ambassador to US and Ambassador to UN. ; Nana Osei Baffour Akoto, Chief Senior linguist of Asantenhere., Nana Afoakwa Ampabame hene., Nana Osei Kwadwo Feyiasehee, Nana Owusu Akyaw Asanteofuhene of Houtson, TX; Nana Fredua Agyeman first ACONA president and Asantefuohen of Canada . Dallas Asantefuohene Nana Osei Assibey ….Nana Nana Amo Adjepong of New York, Naana adum Barwauh of New York, Nan Kwadwo Mfum of New York; Nana Ama Serwa, Wonohemaa;